Do autistic children just appear visibly different?

Question

I've been doing some research on Autism and Aspergers syndrome and have noticed that in the vast majority of cases the kids just look "funny" before they even say a word. It makes me think that the cause of the disorder may be more involved than the experts believe. What would be some of the reasons for this? I can imagine that this must add to some of bullying problems that they exeperience since it might cause them to be singled out

By funny looking I mean weird facial features that suggest genetic problems

@ kristikclark: Thanks for the approval...sometimes if I even bring up the subject online people flip out...like its a horrible secret or something

Answer 1

Most of these kids have no speech or speech delays which effects the muscular abilities of their mouths causing them to "look funny" as you so non-elegantly put it...a better way to to express that would have been "look different". And they are singled out because parents aren't raising kids to accept differences but what they have been taught is normal. Ironically kids with Autism have higher IQ's so I guess that evens the score in some way compared to the kids who look "normal" and could never completely understand Einsteins theories or come close to composing the works of Mozart. People need to stop adhering to whats normal and just accept that we all are different and beautiful in our own way.

Answer 2

Funny looking? Down Syndrome you mean. No it's not the same thing. Some Autistic Children and Aspergers syndrome children do have a look in their eyes but it's subjective. Autistic children can do quite a bit of bullying themselves depending on their disorder. Autism is a very wide raging disorder/disease. The problem is an inability to socialize and bond appropriately. So some of is a psychical perception. Good luck with your research.

Answer 3

I think you have to explain more of your research because looking "funny" could mean anything.

There is no evidence that the physical appearance of someone with autism differs than the normal population. I have heard that people with autism tend to have more symmetric faces which could make them more handsome or beautiful.

I assume that what you mean by "appear visibly different" is behaviour. This is not something new- experts study behaviour and maybe even more than what people with autism say.

Reseach for example is done to look at someones facial expression when emotion-expressing photos are shown -someone "happy/ angry / sad / etc" The idea is to test empathy and to see if the emotion is replicated in the reaction in the facial expression.

It is a danger to make any assumptions about someone by just looking at a photo. Be aware of the natural variation that exists in the human race -of races and individuals.

(Wierd facial expressions (for example involuntary movement) can suggest disorder but never genetic causes)

Answer 4

They tend to fixate on things, which gives them a staring-into-space look a lot. Some autistic children look very normal physically, others have an apparent physical difference. There are various degrees of Autism and it effects 1 out of every 166 children, so it's very prevalent. It's great that you're doing research on it. Anyone who works with the public at all should research it.

Answer 5

My daughter has Rett Syndrome which is an ASD. It is the only ASD that has had the genetic cause found and can be tested for with a blood test. Girls with RS do look different...small hands/feet/head, bright eyes. There is something to this. Someday the genetic link will be found with all the other ASDs and more light will be shed on why certain facial features occur.

Answer 6

If you were to see a child with autism or aspergers as they sleep, you would not be able to see any difference in their looks.
When the child is awake, their eyes and body movements may differ from others. That, however has more to do with medications (for seizures or other maladies) the child is taking.
These disorders are known more for how a child interacts with others, or their enviornment, as their bodies are normal in every-other way.

Answer 7

Autistic people typically do not look different; it's their body language and expressions that mark them out as not being 'normal'.

Answer 8

I don't know why but there are several things autistics do that look different. Not looking at people directly (staring at the sky), unusual gait, and clumsyness.

Answer 9

My son has a half-sister who is autistic - she's cute as a button and looks completely normal.